News: 11/2021 | George House Trust

New HIV Jabs Taken Two Months Apart Hailed As A Huge Step Forward

 

Thousands of people living with HIV in Britain are to be freed from the burden of taking daily pills, after health chiefs gave the green light for a revolutionary treatment by injection every two months.

 

Draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) recommends offering the antiretroviral drugs cabotegravir and rilpivirine in England and Wales after trials proved they work as effectively as daily tablets.

 

You can read the full article here.

Thursday, 18 November, 2021

More Bone Scans Needed For Older People Living With HIV

 

The pathway recommended for assessing the risk of major fracture in people living with HIV by the British HIV Association (BHIVA) may be inadequate, according to a new study from the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital in London.

 

People living with HIV are at greater risk of osteoporosis than their HIV-negative counterparts. Osteoporosis is the process in which bones lose density over time and are at increased risk of breaking (a fracture). HIV itself, certain HIV medications and risk factors that are more prevalent in people living with HIV are all thought to contribute to a higher risk of osteoporosis. Whilst a fracture to the forearm may be easily managed with little impact on everyday routine, a fracture of the hip or spine can be life changing.  Current BHIVA guidelines suggest that all people living with HIV over fifty years of age are assessed using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) to determine their risk of having a major fracture in the next ten years.

 

You can read the full article here.

Tuesday, 16 November, 2021

Most People With HIV Accept COVID-19 Vaccination; More Safety Information Would Help Those Who Are Hesitant

 

Surveys from diverse settings do not suggest unusual levels of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among people living with HIV, the 18th European AIDS Conference (EACS 2021) heard last week. Data were presented from Argentina, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East and the United Kingdom.

 

People living with HIV are at increased risk of worse COVID-19 outcomes than the general population. Achieving a high level of vaccination among people with HIV is therefore crucial. However, low levels of confidence in novel COVID-19 vaccines is a widespread phenomenon.

 

The largest of the surveys was of 1486 people living with HIV in Argentina: 84% said they would have the vaccine if recommended by a healthcare provider and 79% if the government mandated it. Safety was a crucial factor for those who were hesitant about vaccination.

 

You can read the full article here.

Friday, 5 November, 2021

FESTIVE LUNCH

Festive Lunch

 

Join other people living with HIV at George House Trust’s fabulous Festive Lunch!  We will be providing hot food, including roast turkey, beef, vegetarian options, and all the trimmings.

 

We will also have a range of sparkling refreshments, sweet treats, and some festive entertainment.

 

Please let us know beforehand if you have any dietary or access requirements.

 

Due to Covid-19 we are holding two sittings this year, with 20 individual places on each.  The two sittings are taking place on:

 

Wednesday 15th December, 12noon – 3pm

or

Thursday 16th December, 12noon – 3pm

 

You can select a sitting when you register for this event.

 

If you have any questions, please call Josh on 0161 274 4499 or send Josh an email

 

Covid-19 Statement

 

We’re really pleased to be welcoming people back to George House Trust for in-person events.

 

We have hand sanitiser stations throughout the building, our volunteers will be wearing masks and we’ve limited food and refreshment self-service at events.  You also have the option of wearing a mask when you’re in the building.

 

As much as we are trying to be as Covid safe as possible, we cannot completely eliminate the risk of someone contracting Covid whilst at an event.

 

We would ask that you think carefully and consider your own health status before deciding to attend an event.

 

If you have any symptoms associated with Covid-19, such as:

  • A new and continuous cough
  • A high temperature or fever
  • A loss or change in sense of smell or taste

please do not attend an event you have registered for or enter the George House Trust building.

 

If you test positive within 5 days of attending an event (either through a lateral flow test or PCR test) we ask that you let us know.  We will then text other people who were at the event to advise them that they should test.  This will be done anonymously; your details will not be given to anyone.

 

If you have been at an event where someone has notified us that they have tested positive for Covid-19 we will notify you by text.

Wednesday, 17 November, 2021

Living with HIV? Want to talk to us?
Call 0161 274 4499 or email: talk@ght.org.uk